Just as it is supposed to work, the play that changed the momentum and allowed the Texans to blow out the Tennessee Titans 38-14 on Sunday afternoon was a group effort by the Texans’ secondary.

Safety Glover Quin tipped a Matt Hasselbeck pass, safety Danieal Manning caught it, and as he cut left to find an opening toward the end zone, cornerback Johnathan Joseph laid out receiver Nate Washington to help Manning get the score.

“In that moment, momentum changed a lot,” Manning said.

After 21/2 quarters of Tennessee hanging close, Manning’s interception return put the Texans up 21-7 and deflated the Titans. The Titans didn’t score again until the final two minutes, and by then the Texans had removed several of their defensive starters.

Through the Texans’ first three wins, it was the defensive front that drew the most attention, with the secondary playing well but under the radar by comparison.
On Sunday, however, the Texans’ secondary scored as many points as the Titans’ offense.

“Probably the story of the game will be turnovers, then their defense scoring points,” Hasselbeck said.

Hasselbeck was in the game only because Quin knocked starter Jake Locker out with a sack off a blitz, injuring Locker’s left shoulder. He returned to the sideline wearing a sling.

“He’s a great blitzer,” Manning said. “Coach Wade (Phillips) and coach VJ (defensive backs coach Vance Joseph) allow us to just use our talent and put us in defenses where we can just make plays.”

Manning’s interception might have changed the momentum, but cornerback Kareem Jackson’s in the fourth quarter sealed the game, putting the Texans up 38-7.
“All week we preached, ‘Back away, and the receivers will flip,’ ” Jackson said. “We just knew they were going to throw the dagger. On that play, I saw the receiver jogging off. I just kind of broke on it. I’ve seen Hasselbeck looking. I was able to make a play. There was nobody else on that side. Fortunately, I was able to take it in.”

Jackson broke away from the Titans’ offense, getting so much distance from his pursuers that he was able to slow down and appreciate the moment as he crossed the goal line.

As he kick-stepped his way into the end zone, one word crossed Jackson’s mind.

“Just kind of thinking to myself, ‘Finally,’ ” Jackson said.

It was his first pick-six playing cornerback. He never had one at Alabama, either.

It also delighted teammates who had watched the former first-round pick absorb searing criticism for his play as a rookie and even as he improved in his second year under the tutelage of Vance Joseph.

“The kid’s got it,” inside linebacker Brian Cushing said. “He’s a fighter. He’s a tough kid who’s never complained. He’s been through hell. Literally, he’s been through hell with all the stuff he has heard over the last few years. And just the way he responded, I think it’s huge.”

A week after the Texans let a cluster of potential interceptions slip past them, they made a quarterback pay.

“At some point in the game, we knew they were gonna have to come see us,” Jackson said. “Just gotta make them pay.”

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson high steps across the goal line as he returns a fourth quarter interception for a touchdown during the Texans 38-14 victory over the Titans.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson high steps across the goal line as he returns a fourth quarter interception for a touchdown during the Texans 38-14 victory over the Titans.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Titans running back Chris Johnson is upended by Texans defensive back Alan Ball during the fourth quarter.

Titans running back Chris Johnson is upended by Texans defensive back Alan Ball during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans defensive end J.J. Watt slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Texans beat the Titans.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Texans beat the Titans.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans fullback James Casey scores on an 11-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive against the Titans.

Texans fullback James Casey scores on an 11-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive against the Titans.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) sacks Titans quarterback Jake Locker during the first quarter. Locker was injured on the play and left the game.

Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) sacks Titans quarterback Jake Locker during the first quarter. Locker was injured on the play and left the game.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) steps in front of Titans wide receiver Damian Williams (17) for an interception, that he returned 63 yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) steps in front of Titans wide receiver Damian Williams (17) for an interception, that he returned 63 yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) runs past Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on his way to a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) runs past Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on his way to a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown.